Ascomnorth is a behind the scenes company that has installed communication systems throughout Northern Michigan for the past 25 years. Ascomnorth has been on the cutting edge of technology, installing some of first fiber optic cable, key telephone systems and voice mail systems in Northern Michigan. We were also one of the first companies in the area to network telephone systems between schools.

History

Ascom Inc. was started in Wyoming, Michigan in 1979 by Mel Wierenga and Fred Billin. Ascom Inc. was started after separating from Audio Distributors. Audio Distributors focused on television and radio stations at the time. Ascom focused on commercial communications systems in schools, hospitals and business

Ascom Incorporated of Northern Michigan was started in Acme, Michigan by Mel Wierenga, Fred Billin and Larry and Starr Garter in June of 1983. The new company was operated by Larry and Starr Garter. They ran the entire company including sales, service, installation, training and the office responsibilities.

By November of 1992, the company consisted of over (15) people. That year Dave Barth joined the Ascom team as sound system sales/designer. Dave attended Northwestern Michigan College and Ferris State University earning Associates degrees in Digital Electronics and Technical Administration and a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Dave has also achieved a Level One certification through (N.I.C.E.T.) the National Institute for the Certification of Electronics Technicians. Over the years Dave also took on the responsibilities of school technologies sales and design (voice, video and data) as well as selling and designing sound masking systems for open office environments and nurse call systems for healthcare facilities.

In January of 1996, Larry Garter left Ascomnorth.

At that time Starr Garter became President of Ascomnorth Inc. and ownership was divided between Mel Wierenga and Starr Garter.

In July of 1998, Dave Wierenga started at Ascomnorth Inc. in charge of engineering.

Later that year, Dave took over the responsibilities of Operations Manager as well. Before moving to Traverse City, Dave had been with Ascom, Inc. in Wyoming, Michigan since 1978.

Dave worked his way up in the company starting in the warehouse, installing telephone, data, video and sound systems and heading up the engineering department. Dave has also achieved a Level Two certification through (N.I.C.E.T.) the National Institute for the Certification of Electronics Technicians. Dave attended Grand Rapids Community College, Davenport College and Calvin College earning an Associates Degree in Electronics and completing additional course work in Business Administration.

In January of 2000, Dave Barth and Dave Wierenga purchased Starr's ownership of Ascomnorth. In the reorganization of Ascomnorth, Dave Barth will be responsible for Sales and Administration and Dave Wierenga will be responsible for Operations and Engineering.